Draft CS02 Controlled Substances Prohibitions and Ceremonial Uses and procedures CS02.001 Cannabis and Tobacco products, and CS02.002 Ceremonial Uses of Smoke and Tobacco will replace the following:
- 44.01 Cannabis and Tobacco Products (approved August 23, 2018), and procedure 44.01.0001 Tobacco Use on VIU premises
- 44.15 Smudging and Other Ceremonial Uses of Smoke and Tobacco (approved February 23, 2012), and procedure 44.15.0001 Smudging and other Ceremonial Uses of Smoke and Tobacco.
Vancouver Island University is committed to maintaining a safe, respectful and inclusive learning, working and living environment while recognizing Indigenous rights, cultural practices and traditions.
This policy establishes the University’s governance framework and guiding principles regarding controlled substances and the lawful use of substances for medical, educational, research, cultural, spiritual, and ceremonial purposes.
About the policy consultation
Consultation on the draft policy and procedures is now open and members of the VIU community are invited to share their feedback. The consultation runs from October 7 until 4:00 p.m. on October 28, 2026. Input received during the community consultation will help inform changes to the proposed policy and procedures. Any feedback or submissions received after the consultation period concludes may not be reflected in the revised policy and procedures or in the consultation summary report.
Policy information
This policy replaces two previous policies (Cannabis and Tobacco Products and Smudging and Other Ceremonial Uses of Smoke and Tobacco). It establishes a governance framework and guiding principles for the University to follow the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act and the Cannabis Act, while also creating spaces for cultural use of controlled substances.
- CS02 Controlled Substances - Consultation Draft.pdf
- CS02.001 Cannabis and Tobacco products
- CS02.002 Ceremonial Uses of Smoke and Tobacco
Share your input
Once you have reviewed the draft policy, please share your feedback in one of the following ways:
- By taking this short survey
- By sending an email to: policy@viu.ca
- By writing to:
Policy Office
Office of the General Counsel and University Secretary
Nanaimo Campus
Building: 305, Room: 432
Mail drop: 305-4A
All feedback will be reported in public consultation reports and to the Board of Governors in accordance with FIOPPA. Feedback will be anonymized in all reporting.
Formal submissions
Formal submissions from groups or organizations can be submitted by email to policy@viu.ca or in writing (see above). Please state the name of your group and the position of the person submitting the feedback. These submissions will be provided in consultation reports and to the Board of Governors. They will not be anonymized and feedback will be attributed in reporting. Any personal information (with the exception of who provided the submission) will be redacted in accordance with FIOPPA.
Thank you for participating!
Once consultation is complete, this policy will go through the Board of Governors approval process. The policy may be updated based on the feedback received. The Policy Office may also make minor changes to formatting/wording for consistency. Consultation feedback and policy changes will be outlined in the consultation report. The consultation report will be provided to the Board of Governors and posted on this policy page.
We anticipate this draft policy will be provided to the November 26, 2026 Board of Governors meeting for approval. Check back on the CS02 Controlled Substances Prohibitions and Ceremonial Uses policy page for updates as this policy moves through the policy approval process.